The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Sixers: Top 5 free agents in the Pacific Division

By Christopher Kline

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 14: the Los Angeles Lakers exchange high fives during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 14, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 14: the Los Angeles Lakers exchange high fives during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 14, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No. 4: Avery Bradley, Los Angeles Clippers

After an up-and-down season with Detroit and Los Angeles, Bradley almost feels like a buy-low candidate. His value has dropped significant over recent months, giving the Sixers an opportunity to work their way into the conversation if LeBron goes elsewhere.

Strengths

If anything, Bradley is a capable three-point shooter who defends the perimeter at a high level. When healthy he’s one of the better one-on-one defenders in the league, boasting the length and aggressiveness needed to defend either guard spot.

He shot 36.9 percent from deep last season, but that percentage might rise in a different situation. Spending most of the season with Detroit, he was forced into a high-usage role that didn’t necessarily play to his strengths.

As somebody who’s best working off the ball and in a complimentary role, he makes a lot of sense for a team like, say, the Sixers.

Weaknesses

At 6-foot-2, Bradley is undersized for his position. That limits his defensive versatility, regardless of how effective he is on that side of the ball. He’s also coming off his most inefficient season since 2012-13, shooting just 41.4 percent from the field.

Fit

Bradley would be one of the better fits on the market in Philadelphia. He’s another spot-up shooter who can handle the ball in spurts, thriving in dribble hand-offs and hitting jumpers in tight spaces. He’d fit nicely in Brett Brown’s motion-heavy system.

He’s also an elite defender at the point of attack, something the Sixers lacked in the playoffs. The versatility of Simmons and Covington — not to mentioned Joel Embiid‘s rim protection — would help make up for his limited size.

If the Sixers can turn Bradley’s rough 2017-18 season into another one-year flier, a la J.J. Redick, that could turn into a wise investment for a team looking to compete next season.